Ask Away: We’re Driving The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

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GM Authority is about to get dirty … in the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, that is. We’ll be spending some much anticipated time with the Colorado ZR2 this week as the truck itself begins to trickle into dealerships this month.

So, as we always like to do, we’re giving you the floor. Any questions, comments, concerns, praise, whatever you’ve got: we’ll do our best to hunt down the appropriate individual and have your question answered.

A few topics you can expect us to cover certainly include the Mutlimatic DSSV dampers, overall performance, road manners and more.

All we ask in return for your questions are patience and a little bit of time to respond back. Due to logistics, questions and comments will be returned on May 15, 2017. In the meantime, fire away!

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74 Comments

Are you driving diesel or gas? If you get to drive the diesel, how does it feel regarding acceleration and power? Curious if the added weight and tires make it feel sluggish. Would love to drive one too. Have fun and let us know what you think.

We had the opportunity to drive both the V6 and the diesel. Personally, I don’t think either powertrain is all that great in this truck. The 3.6 is a car engine that protests every chance it can get. The diesel just feels too slow, period. The added weight at least doesn’t affect the ride portion of it, as the suspension system is nicely tuned. But the diesel did seem to drive up the rocks more effortlessly than the gasser, as one would expect.

We always had a spotter. And for good reason. Visibility could be better, but the constraints of the platform keeps it from having the optimized visuals of, say, a Jeep Wrangler. There is a learning curve.

A front-mounted camera would have been a great aid here. Raptor has one.

i almost ordered one of these and went with a GMC Canyon Denali on a smoking deal with no regrets. But I still like this truck.

I would like to know if you can get the EPA numbers as the V6 drops to 16 city and 18 highway from my trucks 17 city 24 highway. I get 19.5 real world city in a CCSB. The gear and engine are just the same but the nose must really kill the aero.

The other thing is how much are the shock to replace.

The DIC has a inclination meter and 4×4 indicator will this be on the other trucks. In 2018?

Other than the lockers front and rear, shocks, and springs two inch added clearance this truck should drive much like any other Colorado.

If you have not driven the new V6 and 8 speed you should note the inpmproved drivability of this package over the last two years versions. It drives much better.

They were pretty mum on how much the DSSVs would cost to replace. Aero definitely suffers without that low-clearance front end. They were also mum on the 4×4 mode display trickling down. My guess is no, considering the lack of hardware that the display shows on the lesser models, such as the diff locking and the off-road mode.

It was hard to gauge the sort of pitch we got on the jumps with the diesel compared to the gas trucks, as the engineers riding shotgun were strict about our speeds. But the suspension cals on V6 on diesel are great. They did a great job balancing out that extra nose weight otherwise. Rear locker can be used freely.

The 4×4 knob never seemed inaccessible or awkwardly placed. The 4×4 indicator displays which mode you’re engaged in (2H, 2L, 4H, 4L) as well as whether or not the diffs are locked, and if/when tire traction slips, with the respective tire indicator blinking yellow.

The 8sp is a little quicker than the 6sp, but I still wish there was more power to draw from either engine. On-road manners are uncanny, considering how well it handles off-road. This thing handled better than lower-level Colorados we’ve driven in the past. Spring rate feels optimized and the truck feels incredibly settled. They could have lied to us and said they used magnetic ride control. Tire noise and cabin are also quieter than the new Raptor.

1. Does it need more power or are the v6 and diesel good enough?
2. I know they don’t have an extensive options list, but do they come with a fully loaded interior or are they more like the base model on the inside?

No one will ever say no to more power but not are very well suited for most drivers. The new V6 is only 3 HP more but it is 8 tenths faster than last years and even in a CCLB 4×4 will run 13 seconds in the quarter mile. Keep in mind this truck is 800 pounds lighter than the full size Ford.

I would like the ZR2 to have the Camaro HP but mpg is already down on highway due to the new bumper.

Yes it is loaded. The only version with more options is the Canyon Denali. Just a few choices like radio color cab engine and carpet or mat.

It comes fully loaded, but the one we drove most of the day didn’t have a driver’s assistance package such as blind spot indicators or ultrasonic front parking sensors. Probably because they would go berserk off-road. Personally, I’d like to see a more stripped down interior. If used right, all of that nice leather and technology is going to get very dirty.

The V6 hates moving that much weight, and the diesel errs on the side of anemic. But considering there is really no good powertrain in the entire class (looking at Toyota TRD and Jeep Wrangler), I suppose the powertrains are par for course, or even more refined than what the ZR2’s rivals offer.

Did you bring a tape measure with? How much room is under the hood. Length from the radiator to the transmission. The width and the height. Will an LT1 engine fit in there. I need 25.2 inches wide not including exhaust manifolds. And 29.6 inches in length. The height does not matter we can always get a new hood. Thanks

Didn’t bring a tape measure. Measuring sessions are not really something we have time for on these. LT1 aside, I wish they put the 4.3L V6 in there from the Silverado. More hp than the diesel, more torque than the 3.6.

On March 16 the dealers could not order a diesel. Perhaps any orders of ZR2 at all. In May things seemed still very strange on the ordering front. Not all the standard colors that are available on a regular Colorado can be found on the ZR2. Where is Anita Burke? Is this problem of the local dealers, GM web or far to much hype? (Brownstone Metallic GWX)

Sean,
Sometimes I’m left shaking my head at your articles. You put it out there for readers to ask questions about the product, but then disappear. These readers who have posed the questions above, want answers from you and the other GM Authority staff members. Instead you have left it to Scott3 Authority and his experience with his own GMC Canyon, rather than any type of response from you relating to the actual ZR2 you are supposedly driving. None of us really know if you are even driving one, since there has been no response . Although Scott is usually informed on most GM product if not overly confident in his explanations of them when not, the “Ask Away” aspect of this article should be eliciting a response from GM Authority. Now this story is a day old, on page two, and by the time you might answer nobody will care anymore. If you actually want reader involvement, then be involved yourself.

To be fair Sean has an embargo if I heard right till the 15th. There is limited info they can release.

As for the ZR2 I know this truck in side out contentvwise. The only real questions I can not answer is the ride having not driven this model. The real wild card is the shocks and geometry. It should only be better.

My Denali only really differs in the few suspension changes that will improve the off road ability,

I had all intent to order one but many of the dealers either had no clue or were wanting sticker price that I refuse to pay for a RPO model.

Since I was not really going off road and found a Denali for a great price I chose it.

If you are not happy wit an answer I can better explain if needed.

I have driven various forms of this truck including the Desiel. There is not a lot of difference in these models as a whole and they mostly drive the same.

The option content of this truck and mine is mostly suspension and wheels also the lockers.

While much appears different much of the truck also remains the same.

I still love this truck and am willing to share what I learned over the last 6 months.

Sean will be fine to add the driving impressions.

Besides all the questions being ask the info has been around for a good while if you just look for it.

Also deliveries have already happened and I know several people with them that are more than willing yo share their experience.

1. Sean isn’t driving the ZR2, I am. So it’s not really his responsibility to answer questions as they relate to driving impressions. It’s very much mine.

2. Sean states in the post that the questions will be answered Monday, May 15.

3. That date is because all driving impressions are under embargo. All driving impression questions will be answered May 15, when the embargo lifts. Until then, Scott3 Authority, who is definitely not under embargo, is apparently answering questions.

1. If Sean isn’t the one gaining experience or driving impressions with truck, then why is he even authoring a blog entry for which he has no responsibility to answer the reader? This should be very much yours.

2. There are questions above that could be answered without giving too much up from your embargoed time with the ZR2. Again, why ask now for input if none is to be given for several days. A better way to handle this would have been for you Mr. Katakis to run the article on May 15th rather than the teaser which will get buried and pose the lead: Ask away: We Drove the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and have our impressions. Even though the driving impressions and experience will solely be yours since nobody else on staff experienced the ZR2 and would just be regurgitating what has been reported in the past.

3. I remember the days on GM Authority when there were more entries from the different staff. Now we readers see the vast majority of stories from Sean and some seemed rushed out or are simply links to other automotive websites. Are you in need of some more automotive/investigative reporters to take the weight off of Sean’s shoulders?

4. Please thank Scott3 for keeping this post alive until you lift the embargo on the 15th and actually have something to give the readers.

1. Since you have it figured out, you would know that these media drives are day-long events, sometimes in remote areas, and sometimes the internet is down. You’d know that you’d call on the other staff to pinch hit on a couple things while you’re out in the field,

2. Not only are we adhering to embargoes, because we like to keep these opportunities coming for everybody to read about and share. If you don’t like them, tell Chevy. I’m not really sure what you’re on about with the rest. Automakers never invite entire publications out to drive anything.

3.If you had been paying attention, you would see that Aaron, Sam, Alex and myself still post content here, as well as their respective Ford Authority and FC Authority beats. We ask a lot of Sean to handle the sheer amount of GM stories you can find at one place, every day. If you know of any other website that can come close to what we provide here, please, let me know. There’s really no reason to get uppity at Sean or the rest of the staff because you didn’t fully read the details that we’d answer questions on Monday.

I will back Manoi up. If one talks too much before the embargo too often you get cut off from most future info.

Much of the questions being asked here have already been addressed on this site and the links will take you to the stories.

The drive has been taking place this week and not only can the take hours but days.

The only reason I jumped in here is much of the questions are things asked long ago. Not much more new to com on this truck other than driving impressions and capabilities be being reviewed.

The only reason I am up on this was I came really close to buying one. If not for the hassles at the Chevy dealer I would have ordered one. I got pissed off and found a GMC that fit my needs better so in the long run it worked out.

I still love this truck but I was not going to do much off roading anyways. The Denali will climb the same mall curbs at the mall that the Z will. Besides I got some thing you can not get on the Chevy.

In short I just covered old ground and they will be able to better review the shocks and tuning of the suspension as the rest of the truck really is not much different than the other mid size GM models. The interior other than the locker switches and head rest is the same as mine. So are the engine,tranny and gearing.

Chevy was designated to be the Performance model and the GMC will be the Luxury road model. No z package for the GMC is coming.

Also these are on dealer lots in many areas now. I just looked at one.

I’m planning on ordering a 2018 Diesel and I was wondering if there are any changes from 2017. I’ve read the diesel may get an 8 speed and I also read that a moon roof may be available along with a few new colors. Have you guys heard anything else and do you know if any of the options I listed will come to fruition ???

Not sure and if they are going to do it they will not say till they are ready.

Even with the different chassis differences I believe much of the suspension parts should bolt on. The only real frame modification they made here is they welded in a few placed to stiffen the frame a little more to keep it from twisting over the rocks.

Seeing you have a Z71 already I would assume that this would be a natural to add to the line there. It would not be difficult.

I am not sure when the next refresh for your model is since it is on a different time line but they may add it then?

What would be interesting it to take these parts and add it to a Traiblazer package and make it more trail rated.

Note when the global platform manager for the truck was on Autoline she took questions. Most she said no to. Now she was asked about a SUV version of this all she would say is that would be very interesting. A non answer at GM is often a hint they may be looking at or doing something. I call it GM speak. Their people can not say yes to things like this but they can say no. A non answer is not a lock that they are doing anything but often there may be a hint that they are playing with something.

Note I saw a ZR2 today and they present well. It should prove to be an interesting package. I just don’t everyone gets their hopes up that it is a small Raptor. Well it is not but for the money it is a very good model and our performs anything in class to this point. GM could expand this if people are willing to pay more but only time will tell.

Also who knows what they have planned for the next full size truck this time around. They may limit this truck to let the Silverado take on the Raptor.

It is not always what we do know about GMs plans but what they really are planning in the coming years that can be amazing.

At this point not much is known for sure. Ther may be some very small changes or some mid year changes.

The new trucks will go into production the second week of July if what the GM rep told he still stands.

I would expect at least two color changes. I was told Brownstone was one color that was going. The late addition of several colors this year may negate many changes in color. Many are still awaiting Inferno yet.

The moon roof is one missing item and as of yet no word has been given if next year or ever will it show up.

Watch the GM fleet order site as the changes should show there in the next week to two weeks.

Also keep in mind they update the through the year so more things can come mid year.

The real question we all want to know is if we can if 33″ tires on it without cutting the body and only minor modifications. This truck has all the right equipment except it’s useless for trial riding if can only fit 31″s or 30 1/2″ (or whatever the metric conversion is). I’ve managed to fit 33″s on my 2000 Blazer ZR2 with just a 2 1/2″ body lift, rear shackles and 1/2 ton bump stops in the front, however it required cutting the fender liners and some sheet metal in the rear.

When we fit 33″s on this, will it mess up and confuse this active suspension and if so will the aftermarket be able to get into the software to make the correction or could GM just offer a software update that could be done at a dealer?

I’ve offroaded with 35″ which is awesome, but 33″s do seem to be suffecient, and a nice balance for on and off road. 31’s are nice for grated forest roads, lol.

Here is what GM’s Engineer stated. You may be able to do a 33 but it will be tight. Depending on the wheels and tire it is likely you will have to modify the wheel well or fender.

The 31 tire did the Moab trail [I think they said class 3] with no issues or hang ups. There is the option of body and suspension lifts that could help but stock it sounds like 31″ may be the unmodified limit with qualifications.

As for software for the tire changes. People I know with the truck now say no it will not taken them at this time. But working in the aftermarket I expect that will change as someone will get it worked out. If there is money to be made there is always someone that will make the program.

I have noted in the GM notes on the Diesels they are on the watch for any programs or any hint of a programming change on any Warranty that may have been caused by the changes. GM is not willing to pay for some tuners mist stakes and rightly so. Their tech site has a story on how to log these at the dealer as they down load the info.

Also the Goodyears are reported to our perform the BFG tires. They tested both and the Goodyears did all things better so they chose them. Now you may be able to buy more able off road tires but you will give up on road. The Goodyears are the best of both worlds per the Engineer.

The suspension system isn’t electronically set up with software, but there’s always bound to be some sort of correction to be made if a subcomponent gets altered. The answer they gave me is that this was the optimal setup for everyday use, but of course they figure that customers are going to swap out the OEM spec for something a little more aggressive.